Finnish Association of Spectrum Caregivers was founded in Helsinki in 2025. The idea for the association arose from an urgent need to respond to calls for help concerning the status of informal care for people on the autism and neurodivergent spectrum. Wellbeing services counties have issued various guidelines on granting informal care allowance based solely on diagnosis. The association is politically and religiously non-aligned and operates on a non-profit basis.
How do we make an impact?
Kirjon Omaishoitajat ry actively monitors public discussion and media coverage related to informal care allowance and takes a public position on socially significant issues affecting informal care. Cooperation with different stakeholders such as NäeNepsy ry forms a core part of the association’s work.
We participate in the following networks and working groups:
- Board of the Finnish Autism Association
- Advocacy Working Group of the Finnish ADHD Association
- Parliamentary Neurodiversity Network
- Pähkinänsärkijät Network
- Finnish Informal Care Network
The association is a member organization of the Finnish Autism Association and the Finnish ADHD Association.
How can you make a difference?
By joining as a member or supporting our work, you support our goal to advance the rights of neurodivergent people to receive informal care allowance. We welcome up-to-date experiences from different wellbeing services counties.
Join us and take part in making a difference.
Board members for 2026
Eini Elomaa, Chair
Riikka Puhakka, Vice Chair
Anne Pitkänen, Treasurer
Kirsi Mustakallio, Board Member
Krista Ojala, Board Member
Heidi Johanna Riihioja, Deputy Member
Irene Härkönen, Deputy Member